ISLAMABAD ( STAFF REPORT )
President Dr Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its cordial relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and wants to further expand bilateral ties with the brotherly country for the mutual benefit of the two sides. The President stated this during a meeting with the President, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), Dr Hathal Hamoud Al-Otaibi and Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, Mr. Nawaf Saeed Al Malkiy, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today. Congratulating Dr Hathal Hamoud Al-Otaibi on his appointment as President of the IIUI, the President expressed the hope that the university would progress further under his leadership. The President asked him to develop and strengthen international linkages between IIUI and reputed foreign universities of the world and Saudi Arabia. Underscoring the increasing importance of online education, the President said that online contents of the knowledge needed to be enhanced as distant learning is cost-effective and easily accessible. Dr Hathal Hamoud Al-Otaibi said that he would follow merit and run the affairs of the university in accordance with the guidelines of the Higher Education Commission.